Speed limits

Speed is a significant factor in about one third of road accidents in the United Kingdom. Particularly in urban areas, where speeding vehicles can adversely affect the quality of life of many communities. Speed limits are introduced to ensure greater road safety. Measures for influencing the speed of vehicles generally fall into two categories, legislative and physical. Speed limits fall into the first category whereas traffic calming measures would fall into the second. Detailed information about speed limits on different types of roads is given in The Highway Code.

• A 30mph speed limit applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs are present which indicate otherwise.
• The signed speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions.

Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions is dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when:

• the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends;
• sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, particularly children, and motorcyclists;
• weather conditions make it safer to do so; and
• driving at night as it is more difficult to see other road users.

Speed limits in Bury

We act as Highway Authority for all roads within the Borough with the exception of the motorway network (M60, M62, M66 and slip roads at junctions).

A comprehensive review of speed limits on all the 'A' and 'B' roads in Greater Manchester was carried out in 2011 by Transport for Greater Manchester on behalf of the ten District Highway Authorities.

As a result of this exercise a number of minor amendments to the existing speed limits in Bury have been recommended for consideration. These amendments typically apply to rural and semi-rural lengths of road in the west and north of the Borough and have been approved for introduction in due course.

The majority of 'A' and 'B' roads in urban areas are typically subject to a 30mph speed limit as are a number of key un-numbered classified roads ('C' roads) and unclassified roads. It is recognised that, in urban areas, speed limits should fit into a rational and easily understood order if they are to be observed by drivers.

In 2013, we launched the StreetSafe strategy which will promote a reduction of the legal speed limit to 20mph on streets within residential estates and areas.

This is a three-year strategy and all appropriate residential streets will be considered for inclusion during this period.

How do apply to change a speed limit?

The speed limit on all residential streets in the Borough will be considered as part of the ongoing StreetSafe strategy.

Residents will be consulted on any proposed reduction of the speed limit to 20mph as individual schemes are developed within this strategy.

If you would like to request that a speed limit be lowered, raised or extended, please use the link on the right hand side of this page to access the on-line form. Your request will then be assessed. The police view is important and will be sought. Account will also be taken of the characteristics of the road, such as its alignment, the level of activity alongside the road, the accident record and the degree of severance caused to a community by the speed of vehicles.

Before deciding to change an existing speed limit the Highway Authority must consider all the relevant factors such as the following.

• Expected accident savings
• Improvement to the environment
• Improvement in amenities
• Reduction in public anxiety
• Improved facilities for vulnerable road users
• Delays to traffic
• Cost of implementation
• Cost of engineering measures and their maintenanccost of enforcement, especially where the speed limit might be regarded as unreasonable by drivers.

If a change in the speed limit is warranted then a new Speed Limit Order has to be made. This involves a statutory legal process that takes approximately 9 months to complete.

Signing of speed limits

Speed limit changes on a road are typically signed using pairs of signs at each side of the carriageway. These may be supported by roundels marked on the carriageway using white thermoplastic often on a coloured background.

If a road has a system of street lighting on it and the speed limit is NOT 30mph then regular speed limit repeater signs will be provided to identify the enforceable speed limit. Carriageway roundels can be used as an alternative in 20mph streets. The Highway Authority is not permitted to place 30mph repeater signs on a road with a system of street lighting. The use of speed limit signing on a 30mph road is limited to their inclusion within camera warning signs and illuminating vehicle-activated warning messages.

The national speed limit applies to all roads without a system of street lighting unless signs (including regular repeater signs) are present which indicate otherwise. Repeater signing is not required on roads without a system of street lighting where the national speed limit applies. The national speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 60mph on single carriageway roads. The national speed limit may be less for other types of vehicles including cars towing trailers/caravans, buses, coaches, minibuses and goods vehicles. These are clearly specified within the Highway Code.

Note: If you wish to report a vandalised or missing speed limit sign, please use the contact details provided on the top right hand side of this page.

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